Small business disaster loans available in Dakotas, other states

SIOUX FALLS — Small businesses in dozens of counties in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Nebraska might be eligible for federal disaster loans.

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the low-interest loans available when counties receive federal disaster declarations.

The federal Agriculture Department late last week designated 16 South Dakota counties as primary natural disaster areas due to severe storms, drought and heat, or grasshopper infestations. That makes farmers and ranchers in those counties and also neighboring counties eligible for emergency loans.

Businesses that are not primarily engaged in farming or ranching can apply for loans through the SBA.